Marvel's Silver Surfer: Rebirth #1
- WRITER
- Ron Marz
- Artist
- Don Ho, Ron Lim
- Letterer
- VC's Joe Sabino
- Publisher
- Marvel Comics
- Price
- 3.99
- Release Date
- 2022-01-19
- Colorist
- Israel Silva
Norrin Radd, aka Silver Surfer, is one of Marvel's most underrated and tragic characters. In a story written by Ron Marz and with artwork by Don Ho and Ron Lim, the reluctant herald of Galactus has returned and his timing couldn't be better. In the new Marvel series, Silver Surfer: Rebirth, the Silver Surfer returns for a cosmic adventure -- old school style.
Determined to redeem himself for his past as herald of the Devourer, Silver Surfer sails through the galaxy to help anyone in need. He comes to the aid of fellow hero Genis-Vell, a.k.a. Legacy, the son of Surfer's fallen friend Mar Vell. This powerful duo with a lot to prove succeeds in saving lives, but their alliance doesn't last. Legacy vanishes and his father, alive, and in his prime, arrives in his place. But the Silver Surfer has little time to rejoice or grieve. The entire plane of reality is at stake, and he must join forces with the most unlikely ally.
Silver Surfer: Rebirth #1 reads like a tribute to Silver Surfer titles of the 80s and 90s and the Silver Age of comics. There is a lot of sentimentality, pomp, and circumstance in the dialogue and narration. Characters, especially Legacy, announce their arrival with great aplomb, speak in the third person, and make grand proclamations. It's fun to see Silver Surfer on an adventure and away from Galactus. He's gotten a few chances to escape his duty and explore the universe on his own terms before, but it doesn't take long for the status quo to be restored. Adding to the fun are the appearances of Mar Vell and Legacy, brief as they are, and the sudden arrival of Thanos in all his gauntlet glory for a resounding finish.
On paper, Silver Surfer: Rebirth #1 sounds like a showstopper. It boasts the return of writer Ron Marz and artist Ron Lim -- two powerhouses that have ample experience with the Silver Surfer. It teases incredible team-ups. It has the glamor and bluster of classic Silver Age comics. Plus there is the chance for Silver Surfer to shine away from Galactus' destruction. However, the end result is not quite as seamless as its premise.
Artistically, Silver Surfer: Rebirth #1 is almost flawless. This is no surprise as Ron Lim was responsible for the Silver Surfer artwork of the 80s and 90s. However, Don Ho's inkwork plays a big part in the subtle sweetness of this issue. Although full of strong black placements, cell shading, and spotlights, the line art is surprisingly soft and gentle. This is emphasized further by the sharpness of the well-placed lettering of Joe Sabino, who does an excellent job of emulating the strong, artistic fonts of Silver Age-style character intros.
While the appearances of Legacy, Mar Vell, and Thanos are fun, they're too brief. Silver Surfer: Rebirth #1 feels less like the beginning of a story rather than a finished one, which is a shame considering how strong the premise is. Silver Surfer: Rebirth #1 has all the makings of a great first issue, but sadly the whole feels less than the sum of its parts. Thankfully, Silver Surfer: Rebirth #1 ends on a strong note. Silver Surfer's future team up with Thanos carries a lot of promise. Hopefully, in the next issue, Silver Surfer's story grows into the powerhouse it aspires to be.